Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has written directly to Donald Trump’s Republican allies to say most Australians oppose Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to recognise Palestine, throwing a spanner in the works of his high-wire diplomatic mission to the US.

The unorthodox move to make clear internationally the opposition’s rejection of Australian foreign policy came after 25 senior congressional Republicans wrote to Albanese – and leaders of France, Britain and Canada – threatening unspecific “punitive measures” for jointly recognising Palestine.

The letter from Republican lawmakers upped the stakes for Albanese as he arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The forum is being used by long-time allies of Israel to elevate the Palestinian cause partly in protest

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